Cook - West Haven (56040)

Rocky Mountain Care Group•West Haven, UT

About The Position

The Cook prepares food in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations, as well as facility policies and procedures. The position reports to the Dietary Manager or Administrator/Executive Director and has no direct reports. The Cook reviews menus, prepares and serves meals and snacks, processes diet changes, supports food-service operations, and maintains food, supplies, equipment, and work areas. The role also requires compliance with resident-rights protections, safety and infection-control procedures, confidentiality requirements, and facility emergency plans. Work takes place in a ventilated, well-lit area that is warm during cooking; the role may involve kitchen and storage temperature extremes, frequent interruptions, and exposure to cooking hazards and infectious or other contaminants. The employee may be called back during emergencies and may need to work beyond normal hours, including weekends and holidays.

Requirements

High school diploma.
Current, active Food Handlers Permit.
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Ability to cook a variety of foods in large quantities and knowledge of food-service practices and procedures.
Ability to taste and smell food to determine quality and palatability.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant and to deal tactfully with residents, personnel, families, visitors, government agencies, and the public.
Patience, tact, teamwork, and willingness to work with difficult residents, family members, and staff.
Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace.
Must meet facility health requirements, including medical and physical examinations and immunity-status checks.
Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday; bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, perform overhead lifting, and assist in resident evacuation during emergencies.
Must be able to maintain and care for supplies, equipment, and work areas and perform regular inspections of food-service areas.
Ability to work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary; subject to call-back during emergency conditions.
Must comply with facility standards, policies, procedures, and compliance and ethics program and complete assigned training and skills competency.

Nice To Haves

One year of dietary or food-service experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital, nursing-care facility, or other related medical facility is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Review menus before food preparation and prepare meals according to planned menus.
Work with the Dietitian/Director of Food Services as needed and implement recommended changes.
Follow established food procedures and complete and submit required forms and reports.
Help establish the food-service production line so meals are prepared on time.
Process diet changes and new diets received from Nursing Services.
Prepare and serve appetizing meals in accordance with standardized recipes, portion-control procedures, therapeutic diets, and special diet orders.
Assist with meal service as needed and provide appropriate utensils and equipment with resident meal trays.
Prepare bedtime snacks and substitute foods for residents who refuse the food served.
Assist with or direct daily cleaning duties and help prepare food for special meals and parties.
Maintain adequate stock levels of food, supplies, and equipment; assist with receiving, inventorying, and storing items; and ensure supplies for the next meal are available.
Recommend equipment and supply needs to the Director of Food Services.
Treat residents with dignity and respect, protect their rights, and comply with facility policies, business-conduct standards, and applicable regulations.
Follow safety, hygiene, infection-control, and confidentiality requirements; report noncompliance, confidentiality breaches, retaliation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, occupational exposures, and work-related injuries or illnesses as specified by facility policy.
Protect residents from abuse, cooperate with investigations, participate in life-safety and emergency drills and training, and fulfill assigned duties during facility emergency-plan activation.
Complete assigned training and skills competency requirements.
Keep food-storage areas, department areas, equipment, and supplies clean, properly arranged, and safely maintained; inspect food-service areas for sanitation, order, and safety.
Communicate with medical and nursing staff and other departments.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Administrator.